CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 837, 15 July 1871, Page 2

CHARLESTON.

(fkom otjb own cobeespondent.) WATER SUPPLY MEETING-. A public meeting, which was very numerously attended was held at the Casino de Yenise, Charleston, on Tuesday evening, for the purpose of introducing to the public the new water scheme of Messrs Parker & Co. Mr Isaac Scott was voted to the chair, who remarked that he knew nothing about it, and would make no remarks, but would ask those prepared to speak to come forward. Mr Liddle said : When I first came to Charleston my attention was called to the want of water on the high levels. I met an old friend of mine, Mr Kees, and spoke of the matter to him. He said he would mention the subject to Mr Kynnersley, and ask "him to introduce it to the Executive. I also introduced it to Mr Hunter, who has since gone home, but the matter lapsed. I subsequently applied for a grant in my own name, but was told by the Warden that it would not be granted to any private party. a A premium of £IOO was offered some time since for a supply of water. I looked about, and saw the present scheme. Just before Christmas I spoke to some miners about it. They wanted to know where it was, but I refused to tell them, as I had been deceived before. • I found when I first examined the country that to bring in a race from the Pour-mile River was a feasible scheme. I saw some other gentlemen, and told them of it; and to secure it myself I was obliged to admit into the scheme six or seven partners. Those gentlemen who went into it with me have expended between £2OO and £3OO. Another surveyor was also employed, whose report 1 shall read to you. [Mr Liddle then read Mr Barnes's report, which stated that the scheme was perfectly practicable;;} It was an erroneous idea that I should have said that I could bring in the water for one-third of Mr Dobson's estimate, as neither Mr Dobson nor any one else had ever estimated the cost of the present race except myself and Mr Rowe. There are only a few leases above the level of this race, and hydraulic appliances could be provided to throw the water to the level required. Much delay has occurred in consequence of the surveyor having been detained up country. We have sent to Melbourne for the necessary appliances, and also to Hokitika for boring rods, but they could not be had. The cost of bringing in the water on the lower level would be about £4,000 or £4,500, on the higher level £5,000. It was proposed by some to form it into a company, but there were several expenses attaching to a public company that would not occur in a private one. The gentlemen concerned in it would require some compensation for starting it; my original plan was 7£ per cent. There were three plans proposed. One was, that eight gentlemen should pay £250 each, to be refunded from the first returns; another was that the projectors should take in eight more partners, who were to pay £SO each, and the othor was to allow partners to work at the race, to be paid part in cash, and the remainder in water or scrip. The Chairman then stated that Mr Liddle was prepared to answer any questions. He was then asked, how many shares there were intended to be? Mr Liddle said he 'lid not know, that depended on the wish of the meeting. Is there any fixed number of hands ? No ; but I omitted to say that no matter what way it is started it will

be let in ain&ll quantities for parties to complete in thirteen weeks, and, allowing for everything, it will be in before Christmas. I require, as promoter, 7£ per cent, in scrip of the total capital invested. Mr I)wan said that he did not think it would be proper to close the meeting without arriving at Bome conclusiou. He thought the only thing to be done was to pass a motion that the original promoters form a company under the Limited Liability Act and float their scrip ; he would move that resolution, and in doing so they would have the making of their own laws, and could make thir own claim as promoters. Mr Thomas Keenan seconded the motion, which, upon being put to the meeting, was carried unanimously. Mr Dwan then moved that the capital be £6OOO, in £5 shares. The motion, having been seconded, was put to the meeting and declared carried. A vote of thanks to the Chair terminated the proceedings.